Indiana Trackside Hotels??

[Anonymous]

Can anyone help me out? I'm taking a road trip back east and will be stopping in Indiana for a night, does anyone know of any good trackside hotels to stay at along the Norfolk Southern? I tried the "Trackside Hotels" website, but it wasn't much help. I'm looking for something around the Lafayette area or within say 50 miles in any direction. If you can help, I'd appreciate it. I can trade KC hotel locations, if you need them.

[Anonymous]

Why in the h*** would you want to stay in a 'track-side' motel? Most people would eventually want to get some sleep, unless you like to stay up all night and count cars. How about a 'Key-Train' (hazardous material) derailment near the hotel sight? Have a nice road trip, and do'nt stay in a place near the tracks...you can bet that it'll be a 'dump'...Hommie

[Anonymous]

Al & Sally's near Michigan City on the CSSSB,there isnt as many moves, but it is much more interesting than the other class ones in the area. No bomb trains on this line, but interesting interurban railroading and clean comfortable rooms.

[Anonymous]

I think you may have missed the whole point of this web site--it's for people who like to watch trains. Or at least people who are interested in railroading in some form as a hobby. I was in Indianapolis 3 weeks ago and stayed at the Crowne Plaza downtown. It is located adjacent to the CSX main. Oddly enough there were no derailments to report, no evacuations due to release of hazardous materials. In short, it was a nice place for a railfan to stay. And no, it was hardly a dump.

[Anonymous]

Wow,that's quite a generalization! I've stayed at trackside hotels more times than I could count, and never was one a "dump". Ever been to Cheyenne, Dalhart,TX or Barstow, CA, to name a few? And stores do sell a product called earplugs. I only plan road trips if they include trackside stays, so I guess I'm just used to it.

[Anonymous]

Sorry folk's...I guess I may have been overly critical. It's just that the time I spent on the 'road' for my employer R.R., anytime we had to stay in hotels close to the track's, noise was an issue, especially if near a crossing at grade!

Perhaps being on vacation, and not under pressure to get your rest makes all the difference, and sometimes employers are'nt the most generous when it comes to accomadations...Hommie

[wabash1]

if the railroads could find heated and air-conditioned tents next to a place you can get a meal 24 hours a day thats where you would stay. regardless of the noise levels. but i do haft to say that they are getting better at getting rooms for us to stay at.

[Anonymous]

Alright there, "hommie". Perhaps we aren't all as luckey as you, to have a job on the Railroad, but I can tell you right now, I have pitched a tent trackside more times than I can count containers on a "stack train". I have never been awakened by an exploding tank car of toxic chemicals landing in my lap in the middle of the night. Railfanning is by nature, a somewhat risky hobby, but I think you are getting a little carried-away here.
Once in a while we even help the railroads. I recall one night at Schoolcraft Michigan, when my cousin and me went to the diamonds to watch trains at about 2:00 am. We noticed about a 6 inch chunk of rail missing in the diamond, and luckily, the "Trunk" still had lineside dispatcher phone boxes, (this one was not locked)
and I was able to reach the dispatcher and warn the railroad of the defect. We probably prevented a disaster, but were met with skeptisism from all the officials, except the train crew. They were the only ones that were grateful for our effort.
Todd C.

[Anonymous]

To all who replied, thanks, but it seems like we've strayed just a little bit from my original topic, can anyone help out with info for my trip? I'm leaving on the 24th, after that you can trade trackside tent stories all you want to, but in the meantime, any info you could give would be appreciated....oh, and I will look out for the exploding tank cars, thanks. Terry

[wabash1]

i agree that sometimes it gets out of hand and if i could help you with motels hotels or tents i would. all i said is the railroad dont care where you are as long as its heated or air-conditioning i also live in a apartment while im on temp job that is 40 feet from the main line and the trains dont bother me.